Tom Regan followed in 1983 with The Case for Animal Rights , arguing for inherent value. The rights movement took a radical turn: rejecting the "happy exploitation" model of welfare reformers. As activist Gary Francione put it, "Welfare regulations are like making the slave quarters more comfortable. They don't challenge the institution of slavery." To understand the friction, consider the "Humane Meat" paradox.
A rights advocate visits the same farm. They note that day-old male chicks (who can’t lay eggs and aren’t the right breed for meat) were still macerated alive or gassed. They note that even "free-range" birds have their beaks trimmed. Most critically, they note that the animals are killed at a fraction of their natural lifespan (a laying hen lives 2 years instead of 10). The rights advocate concludes: This is still exploitation. Tom Regan followed in 1983 with The Case
If you wear wool, ride horses, or visit SeaWorld, you are participating in the property status of animals. Animal rights advocates ask you to stop entirely. They don't challenge the institution of slavery
In the summer of 2022, a judge in Argentina made a landmark ruling: an orangutan named Sandra was declared a "non-human person" with the right to freedom from wrongful incarceration. After 20 years in a zoo, she was transferred to a sanctuary in Florida. Meanwhile, on a dairy farm in Vermont, a farmer installs new bristle brushes for his herd, believing that a cow that can scratch its own back is a happier, healthier, and more productive animal. They note that even "free-range" birds have their